From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Scandal at the Salty Dog (Secrets and Scrabble, #4)

Josh Lanyon

Start date: June 1, 2021

Finish date: July 1, 2021

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

Why we're reading this: This will be our June 2021 read!
[close] This will be our June 2021 read!

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 2 topics — 4,118 comments total

Book of the Month Club

* Candidates for Next Month's Read
By Josh · 3043 posts · 623 views

last updated Feb 21, 2024 10:37PM

February 2025: The Lemon Drop Kid
By Karen · 15 posts · 20 views

last updated Jun 14, 2025 04:47PM

showing 6 of 6 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jun 08, 2021 Josh added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: my-own-work

Not every writer is going to agree with me, but I think writing cozies--particularly a long-running series, which I expect Secrets and Scrabble to be--is like baking pastry v. throwing a stew together. It requires delicacy, finesse, a light hand. You've got to find a way to make--not murder itself--but the investigation of murder, amusing. So humor has to be a huge part of that recipe. And humor is always tricky. ...more

51 likes · Like · see review

Jun 05, 2021 Jax rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbtq, series, mystery, 4-star

Now that I’ve adjusted to the tamer vibe of a cozy mystery I’m enjoying these. The small Buck Island community with its ancestral pirates, historic homes, and colorful cast of residents is the perfect backdrop to mysterious goings-on. A fun installment.

5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 02, 2021 Ami rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm-mystery-suspense-thriller, mm-romance-or-erotica

3.75 stars rounded up

I like this one the most - compared to the previous three. But yes, reducing stars for that "dinner with handsome doctor because Chief Jack Carson still unable to commit" part. I don't want that. It's book four, I hope the relationship is more on the solid ground for many books forward.

Anyway, Libby from the Salty Dog bar asked Ellery to investigate about a night prowler at the bar who have been stealing foods! Meanwhile, Ellery also find Juliet Blackwell, an elderly woman ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2021 ReviewerLarissa rated it it was amazing

Loved this!!!

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 13, 2021 Erika rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, mystery, mine-kindle

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this book for an honest review.

I liked that this story has Ellery working with Jack on the investigation instead of mostly on his own. This might have something to do with Ellery and Jack starting a relationship, but this being a cozy mystery, (meaning no gruesome death or sex descriptions), we see an occaisonal overnight visit as well as some light kissing. Jack's able to give Ellery the "keep yourself safe" talk since he can admit his feelings, which ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2021 ⚓Dan⚓ rated it it was amazing

It was great being back on the island again. I just knew who the culprit was until the end, I was out-sleuthed. *grin*

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2021 Didi rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary, m-m, series, men-in-uniform-law-enforcement, mystery-suspense-thriller, romance, arc-netgalley-edelweiss, lqbtqia

3.5 Stars

We’re joining Ellery, Watson, and police chief Jack Carson in the fourth installment to Lanyon’s “Secrets and Scrabble” series at Pirate’s Cove where summer was the busiest season for the island; with mysteries and shenanigans couldn’t seem to stay away from reluctant amateur- sleuth Ellery Page. With Ellery settling in as one of PC’s respected denizen along with his relationship with Chief Carson, life should be cracking good for him and Watson. Alas, when people started to look at him ...more

Like · see review